7* Monday NBA DAL/UTA

Dallas vs. Utah, 01/07/2013 21:00 EDT, Score: 94 - 100

Point Spread: -4½/-110 Utah

Sportsbook: JustBet.cx

Result: Win

Jazz -4.5

The Utah Jazz host the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. Utah is coming off a 110-91 loss in Denver, while Dallas lost their last game to New Orleans, 99-96.

When Mo Williams went down with a thumb injury, it was expected that the Jazz offense would take a major hit, but Jamaal Tinsley and Earl Watson have stepped up in a major way in his absence.

The veterans have combined for 53 assists in the team’s last five games, with the Jazz scoring a healthy 98.8 points per game in those contests. Going up against a Dallas team that ranks third-last in scoring defense, the Jazz offense should keep on rolling.

Dirk Nowitzki’s return was supposed to give the Mavericks a big boost, but the team has lost five of the six games he’s played in. Overall they’ve lost eight of their last nine games, with that lone win coming against the lowly Wizards.

As Nowitzki slowly works his way back into form, he’ll get no respite from the loaded Jazz frontcourt that features Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap. The Mavericks rank dead last in the league in turnover differential, and the Jazz have the personnel to exploit that weakness.

These teams met on Halloween, with Utah taking a 113-94 decision. The Jazz are 10-4 at home, while the Mavericks are a woeful 5-14 on the road. Take Utah.

7* Play on Utah Jazz -4.5